Thirty Minute Mentors

Rajiv Shah led one of the largest agencies in the U.S. government and leads one of the largest foundations in the world. The president of the Rockefeller Foundation, Raj previously served as USAID Administrator, where he oversaw 10,000 people and a $20 billion budget. Raj joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Raj and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: navigating your career, leading major initiatives, leading in crisis, relationship building, innovation, data, culture, and more.

The highest-ranking woman in American sports, Sarah Hirshland is CEO of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, where she leads the organization responsible for fielding the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams and overseeing the Olympic and Paralympic movements in the U.S. Sarah joins Adam to share her journey and her best lessons learned along the way. Sarah and Adam discuss leadership, career development, working in sports, navigating crises and failure, lessons from Olympians, and much more.

John Simon is the co-founder of General Catalyst Partners, one of America's leading venture capital firms. John is also a managing director at Sigma Prime Ventures and the co-founder of the nonprofit GreenLight Fund. John joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. John and Adam discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, career development, building winning teams and cultures, applying business lessons to nonprofit management, and much more.

A star Major League Baseball player and New York Yankees legend, Bernie Williams was a five-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner, and four-time World Series Champion. Bernie is also a professional musician and has been nominated for a Latin Grammy. Bernie joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons learned along the way. Bernie and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: teamwork, leadership, attaining greatness, performing under pressure, paying it forward, and much more.

Lieutenant General Robert Caslen spent more than three decades serving in a variety of leadership roles in the Army and has led two major institutions of higher learning, serving as Superintendent of the United States Military Academy and as President of the University of South Carolina. LTG Caslen joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. LTG Caslen and Adam discuss leadership, building winning teams and cultures, building trust, motivation, learning from failure, and much more.

Julie Wainwright is the founder of The RealReal, where she developed a new fashion category from concept to roughly $1.5 billion in gross merchandise value. Julie launched The RealReal when she was in her early 50s and The RealReal has catered to more than 33 million shoppers. Julie joins Adam to share her journey and her best lessons learned along the way. Julie and Adam discuss entrepreneurship, career development, hiring, growth and scale, overcoming adversity, workplace equity, and much more.

Chuck Templeton is the co-founder of OpenTable, a business that changed the way millions of people make restaurant reservations and currently seats more than a billion diners each year. Chuck is also a successful venture capitalist, as he co-founded and is a senior managing director of S2G Ventures. Chuck joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Chuck and Adam discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, sales, raising and investing capital, culture, customer centricity, and much more.

Bob Muglia played a key role in building two of America's leading technology companies. Bob was the CEO of Snowflake, valued today at more than $50 billion, and previously ran a $17 billion division of Microsoft. Bob joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Bob and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leading people and teams, hiring and motivating talent, what leaders should understand about AI and big data, lessons learned from Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer, and much more.

The leader of one of the largest private companies in America, Alex Taylor is the CEO of Cox Enterprises, a conglomerate that generated $22 billion in annual revenue and includes a number of prominent media, communications, and automotive businesses, including Cox Communications, Kelley Blue Book, and Autotrader. Alex joins Adam to share his journey and best lessons and advice. Alex and Adam discuss leadership, impact, trust, building winning teams and cultures, success and failure, and much more.

Heidi Heitkamp is the first woman to be elected to the United States Senate from North Dakota and a Democrat who was elected in a deeply Republican state. Senator Heitkamp joins Adam to share her journey and her best lessons learned along the way. Senator Heitkamp and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership; risk-taking; re-examining failure; decision-making; building relationships and consensus; the power of fun; dealing with difficult people; and much more.

John Colgrove is the co-founder of Pure Storage, which disrupted the way companies store data. Pure Storage is valued at more than $10 billion and has more than 4,200 employees and operations in more than 30 countries. John joins Adam to share his journey and best lessons and advice. John and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: entrepreneurship, ideation, creativity, vision, growth and scale, leadership, culture, and more.

The leader of one of America's largest and leading financial services firms, John Schlifske is the CEO of Northwestern Mutual, which generated nearly $35 billion in revenue last year and has more than $550 billion in assets under management. John joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. John and Adam discuss leadership, career development, building winning teams and cultures, risk management, sales, and much more.

The most recognized male figure skating star in the world, Scott Hamilton is an Olympic gold medalist and a member of the United States Olympic Hall of Fame and the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame. Scott joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons learned along the way. Scott and Adam discuss a wide range of topics, including reaching peak performance and attaining greatness, overcoming setbacks and failures, excelling in multiple careers, winning over your audience, and much more.

Charles Conn was the founding CEO of Ticketmaster-Citysearch, a pioneering internet company whose portfolio included Match.com and Evite and is known today as Ticketmaster. Charles joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Charles and Adam discuss a wide range of topics, including personal and professional development, leadership, managing in times of uncertainty, building winning teams and cultures, managing failure, and much more.

A retired four-star general, General Frank McKenzie was the commander of the United States Central Command, where he oversaw the raid that killed Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the then-leader of ISIS, and the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. General McKenzie joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. General McKenzie and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, personal and professional development, building winning teams and cultures, crisis management, and much more.

Wes Schroll is the founder and CEO of Fetch, America's leading consumer rewards app, with more than 17 million users and a valuation above $2.5 billion. Wes joins Adam to share his journey and best lessons and advice. Wes and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: entrepreneurship, ideation, growth and scale, developing key relationships, fundraising, leadership, mentorship, and more.

Ja Rule is one of the most successful rappers of all time. Ja joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons learned along the way. Ja and Adam discuss a wide range of topics, including navigating life's ups and downs, leadership, entrepreneurship, mentorship, creativity, failure, developing confidence, and much more.

Steve Bandrowczak is the CEO of Xerox, one of America's oldest and most iconic companies. Steve joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Steve and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, personal and professional development, innovation and reinvention, building winning teams and winning cultures, learning from failure, and much more.

An Olympic Gold medalist, Lauryn Williams is the first American woman to win Olympic medals in the Summer and Winter Olympic games. Lauryn joins Adam to share her journey and her best lessons and advice. Lauryn and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: reaching peak performance, understanding and attaining success, motivation, pressure, managing failure, developing a winning mindset, teamwork, leadership, and more.

The leader of one of the largest medical technology companies in the world, Kevin Sayer is the CEO of Dexcom, a business with a market cap of $47 billion. Kevin joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Kevin and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, mentorship, building winning teams and cultures, innovation, and much more.

The leader of one of the most influential internet companies of all time, Steve Case was the co-founder and CEO of AOL and is the Chairman and CEO of the venture capital firm Revolution. Steve joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Steve and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: entrepreneurship, leadership, investing, building winning teams and winning relationships, negotiations, and much more.

A Fortune 250 CEO and one of America's leading women in technology, Kate Johnson is the CEO of Lumen Technologies, where she leads nearly 30,000 employees and a company that generated nearly $20 billion last year. Kate joins Adam to share her journey and best lessons and advice. Kate and Adam discuss leadership, transformation, building winning teams and cultures, personal and professional development, diversity and inclusion, and more.

A retired four-star general who spent more than 40 years serving in the Army, General Gus Perna was the COO of Operation Warp Speed, where he oversaw the logistics of the government's effort to help develop, manufacture, and distribute covid vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. General Perna joins Adam to share his journey and best lessons learned along the way. General Perna and Adam discuss leadership, crisis management, personal and professional development, mentorship, and much more.

Tom Perez was the Secretary of Labor and the Chair of the Democratic National Committee. Secretary Perez joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons learned along the way. Tom and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leading people, organizations, and your own life; building winning relationships; taking risk and managing failure; and much more.

Jeff Raider co-founded multiple multi-billion dollar businesses. Jeff is the co-founder and co-CEO of Harry's, one of the leading men's shaving brands, and is a co-founder of Warby Parker, a leader in eyewear. Jeff joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Jeff and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: personal and professional discovery and development, leadership, entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship, customer-centricity, differentiation, and more.

One of the greatest college football players of all time, Danny Wuerffel is a Heisman Trophy winner, a College Football Hall of Famer, and the namesake behind the Wuerffel Trophy, college football's premier award for community service. The Executive Director of Desire Street Ministries, Danny played for four NFL teams before pivoting to a career in nonprofit leadership. Danny joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice.

The creator of a number of highly popular workout programs, Autumn Calabrese is a leading fitness influencer. Autumn has trained many of America's biggest names and her programs have been viewed more than 140 million times on BODi's on-demand platform. Autumn joins Adam to share her journey and best lessons and advice. Autumn and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: personal discovery and development; motivation; health, fitness, and nutrition; the keys to a winning routine; communication; and more.

The leader of one of America's oldest, largest, and most prominent non-profit organizations, Suzanne McCormick is the CEO of YMCA of the USA, with more than 2,500 locations serving 13 million people across the country. Suzanne joins Adam to share her journey and best lessons and advice. Suzanne and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, mentorship, career development, navigating change, relationship-building, communication, and much more.

The founder of the American Film Institute and the co-founder of the Kennedy Center Honors, George Stevens Jr. has won 15 Emmys and an Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement. George joins Adam to share his journey and best lessons learned along the way. George and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: personal discovery and development; leadership, mentorship, and success; takeaways from time spent with John F. Kennedy, Edward R. Murrow, Steven Spielberg, and Sidney Poitier; and much more.

Henrique Dubugras is the co-founder and co-CEO of Brex, most recently valued at $12.3 billion. Henrique joins Adam to share his journey and best lessons and advice. Henrique and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: entrepreneurship, leadership, mentorship, pivoting as a business and in your career, growth and scale, raising money, building winning teams and cultures, and more.

A pioneer in the fields of software, personal computing, and the internet, Mitch Kapor is the founder of Lotus and the creator of Lotus 1-2-3, the "killer application" that led to the widespread adoption of the personal computer in the business world. Mitch is also the co-founder of the Mozilla Foundation - best known for developing the web browser Firefox - and is a leading technology investor. Mitch joins Adam to share his journey and best lessons and advice.

Debra Lee was the CEO of BET, the largest company in the world dedicated to African-American programming. The first Black company traded on the New York Stock Exchange, BET reached more than 100 million homes while Debra was CEO. Debra joins Adam to share her journey and best lessons learned along the way. Debra and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: personal and professional development; leadership; building winning teams and companies; diversity and inclusion; managing difficult experiences; and more.

Tony Parker was one of the best players in basketball over the course of his 18-year career and is one of the greatest European players of all time. A 6-time NBA All-Star and 4-time NBA champion, Tony is the first European-born player to win the NBA Finals MVP. Tony joins Adam to share his journey and best lessons and advice. Tony and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: teamwork, leadership, culture, mentorship, basketball, the wine business, Tim Duncan, Gregg Popovich, Kobe Bryant, and more.

Over the course of his 37-year military career, Lieutenant General Jeffrey Buchanan led troops at every level in adverse environments across the country and around the world. LTG Buchanan led the military response for five major hurricanes - Matthew, Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Florence; served four combat tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan; and commanded nearly 6,000 federal military troops deployed to the Southwest border. LTG Buchanan joins Adam to share his journey and best lessons and advice.

Kaitlyn Farrington is an Olympic gold medalist and was one of the best snowboarders in the world before having to retire at the height of her success upon being diagnosed with congenital cervical stenosis. Kaitlyn joins Adam to share her journey, how she navigated the ups and downs, and her best lessons learned along the way. Kaitlyn and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: attaining greatness; navigating obstacles, challenges, and setbacks; competition; coaching; mentorship; mindset; and much more.

The leader of one of the largest real estate brokerages in the world, Nick Bailey is the CEO of RE/MAX, where more than 140,000 agents across 9,000 offices in over 110 countries and territories have combined to sell more real estate than anyone. Nick joins Adam to share his journey and best lessons and advice. Nick and Adam discuss a wide range of topics, including leadership, sales, negotiations, career development, mentorship, international business, and much more.

Bill Rasmussen is the founder of ESPN, the first television network fully dedicated to sports and the largest sports media entity today. Bill joins Adam to share his journey and best lessons learned along the way. Bill and Adam discuss a wide range of topics, including entrepreneurship, ideation, innovation, communications, overcoming obstacles and setbacks, mindset, and more.

The former Secretary of the Air Force, Deborah Lee James was only the second woman to ever lead a U.S. military service, where she oversaw an annual budget of more than $139 billion and nearly 660,000 airmen. Secretary James joins Adam to share her unique journey and best lessons and advice. Secretary James and Adam discuss how to rise within your career; how to navigate and avoid setbacks; how to lead in times of crisis; how to manage anxiety and pressure; and much more.

The leader of one of the most successful brands in the world of fitness, Dave Long is the co-founder and CEO of Orangetheory, with more than 1,500 studios across 24 countries. Dave joins Adam to share his journey and best lessons learned along the way. Dave and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: entrepreneurship, leadership, branding, hiring, pushing your comfort zone, and much more.

A member of the National Track and Field Hall of Fame and the United States Olympic Hall of Fame, Gail Devers is a three-time Olympic gold medalist. Gail competed in five different Olympic Games despite battling Graves' disease and Thyroid Eye Disease throughout her career. Gail joins Adam to share her journey and best lessons learned along the way. Adam and Gail discuss defining and attaining success, overcoming obstacles, developing a winning mindset, leadership, health, and much more.

Bill Weld was the governor of Massachusetts from 1991 to 1997. Elected twice as a Republican in one of the bluest states in the country, Governor Weld won re-election with more than 70 percent of the vote. Governor Weld joins Adam to share his journey and best lessons and advice. Governor Weld and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: lessons from winning and losing races; relationship building; leadership; ethics; the power of humor; dealmaking; and much more.

Angie Hicks is the co-founder of and namesake behind Angie's List, now known as Angi. Angie joins Adam to share her journey and best lessons learned along the way. Angie and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: personal and professional development; entrepreneurship; leadership; sales; hiring; branding; customer-centricity; and much more.

One of the top social media business influencers in the world and a serial entrepreneur, Grant Cardone is a New York Times bestselling author and is a CEO or partner in seventeen different businesses. Grant joins Adam to share his journey and best lessons and advice. Grant and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: understanding and attaining success, overcoming obstacles, leadership, motivation, sales, branding, and much more.

General Larry Spencer was the second highest-ranking military officer in the United States Air Force and one of only nine African American four-star generals in Air Force history. General Spencer joins Adam to share his unique journey - from inner-city Washington D.C. to Air Force Vice Chief of Staff - and his best lessons learned along the way. General Spencer and Adam discuss leadership, mentorship, innovation, diversity and inclusion, personal development, overcoming obstacles and challenges, and more.

Candace Nelson is a New York Times bestselling author, TV personality and entrepreneur. The co-founder of Sprinkles - the world's first cupcake bakery and ATM - Candace is a judge on Cupcake Wars and Sugar Rush and is the co-creator of Best in Dough. Candace joins Adam to share her journey and best lessons learned along the way. Candace and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: personal and professional discovery; entrepreneurship; pivoting in your career and in your business; health; success; and much more.

A star in the NFL over the course of his 14-year career, Donald Driver is the Green Bay Packers' all-time leading receiver, a 4-time Pro Bowler, a New York Times bestselling author, and an entrepreneur. Donald joins Adam to share his journey - from homelessness to the height of success - and best lessons learned along the way. Donald and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: overcoming obstacles, leadership, mentorship, mindset, motivation, and much more.

One of the greatest poker players of all time, Phil Hellmuth has won a record sixteen World Series of Poker bracelets. Phil is also a New York Times bestselling author and an advisor to ten different companies. Phil joins Adam to share his journey and best lessons and advice. Phil and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: ego and confidence; decision-making and managing emotion; performing under pressure; negotiation strategies and tactics; how to improve as a poker player and in any endeavor; and much more.

A founding member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, Stevie Van Zandt has enjoyed success as a musician, an actor, an activist, a writer, and an entrepreneur. Stevie is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and a New York Times bestselling author, was a star on The Sopranos and Lilyhammer, and is the founder of numerous businesses, including Little Steven's Underground Apothecary. Stevie joins Adam to share his unique journey and best lessons learned along the way.

Joe Moglia reached the apex of success in two completely different fields: finance and college football. Joe was the CEO of TD Ameritrade, leading the company from a market cap of $700 million to more than $12 billion. Before and after his career in finance, Joe coached college football, winning the Eddie Robinson Award as the top FCS head coach. Joe joins Adam to share his best lessons in leadership and in life.

The rare entrepreneur to take a startup from idea to IPO, Mike Evans is the co-founder of Grubhub, a multibillion business that has changed the way that millions of people order their meals. Mike joins Adam to share his journey and best lessons learned along the way. Mike and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation, customer acquisition and sales, growth and scale, defining and attaining success, and much more.